Night settled heavily over the capital of Buganda, its streets slick with mist and moonlight. The torches that lined the palace gates hissed faintly in the damp air, casting long shadows across the cobbled path.
A lone rider approached, cloaked and silent.
The chief guard at the gate stepped forward, hand on spear—until his eyes caught the face beneath the hood.
He stiffened in recognition. "Onyango."
The name carried weight here. Whispers of Nuri’s eyes. The one who had disappeared into the shadows of Abyssinia and returned with fire.
The gate opened without a word.
The Kabaka’s private residence was quiet at this hour, but he was still awake. There had been no peace in Buganda for weeks—court factions bickered endlessly, the air thick with accusations and suspicion. It was not a kingdom at war, not yet—but one misstep, and it would be.
He stood in a wide chamber draped in indigo cloth, surrounded by carved spears and hanging drums. Maps covered a wooden table in front of him, but his gaze lifted the moment Onyango entered.
"You came at night," the Kabaka said, voice low. "That alone tells me enough."
Onyango bowed deeply. "There was no time to wait for the sun."
"We have much to deal with, Kongo is on the brink of a coup, we only have weeks at best. Lumingu and his people have infected the nobles, priests and anyone who will listen.
Their king is isolated, we are not even sure he even knows exactly what is going on. Buganda was used merely as a stepping stone, once Lumingu takes Kongo, he will set his sights here then Nuri, even those he worked with will most likely be eliminated.
A faction of portugese trained elites called the Restorers are a big part of the coup, from what our team can tell, they are incredibly skilled.
We also found proof of the corruption and an assassination list. Our team has decided its best to help those on the list, it’s unlikely we will get to all of them but we will try. "
The Kabaka listened without interruption, but his hands gripped the edge of the table, knuckles pale.
"We need to act now, if not Buganda will fall." Onyango said.
"Those greedy fools, look at what they have invited in our borders." The Kabaka sighed thinking of his court, men he grew up with sought to destroy Buganda so easily.
He thought of all those who died in their scheme to overthrow him.
"Is power truly worth all this suffering?" He said clenching his teeth.
"Nuri believes our people are worth more than any land or gold, I have leaned a lot from Prince Khisa, and I know even with the odds against him, he will never let the innocent suffer while he breathes." Onyango said, his face hardened and resolute.
"The more I learn about that young man the more I wish he was born here, his father must be incredibly proud." The kabaka chuckled slightly. Newest update provided by novel·fire·net
"King Lusweti is the most proud father in our kingdom. Once all of this is over I am sure you will meet our king, and learn of our victories, you will see that allying with us will bring you prosperity. These are the humble words of a warrior of Nuri." Onyango said bowing slightly.
The Kabaka turned away, hands folded behind his back. He stood beneath a tapestry of his grandfather’s war—one that had nearly torn the kingdom apart. His shoulders were tense. When he spoke again, his voice was brittle with fury
He turned back. "Tell me, Onyango—how far has your team gone?"
Onyango stepped forward, pulling a fresh scroll from beneath his cloak. "They’ve begun a plan to delay the coup. The king is still alive, but not safe. They’ve made contact with a priest—a loyal one. He’s helping hide the royal family within the catacombs under the southern chapel. Ancient tunnels. Forgotten."
The Kabaka blinked, surprised. "Not bringing them here?"
"Not unless it becomes absolutely necessary," Onyango replied. "Our goal is to delay the coup—not spark a war. If we can keep the king alive and missing, the Lumingu can’t fully seize control."
"And the people?" the Kabaka asked. "They won’t rebel?"
"Not yet. As long as they believe the king lives, there’s hope. After we get them to safety we can begin with switching the narrative against Lumingu. We should avoid all out war as much as possible." Onyango said.
"Why would Nuri go so far for people you don’t know?" The Kabaka asked.
"Our prince taught us that to protect Nuri, we must stop wars before they happen. Once we helped Buganda with the plague, it became our responsibility to see it through to the end.
We will not allow, Kongo or any other nation to exploit Nuri. Lumingu chose to bear his fangs on Nuri, it is only fitting we retaliate. Any other reason is that Nuri is against senseless killing after all, people are the most important." Onyango said pride filling him.
"Nuri sounds even more like a dream."
The Kabaka walked back to the map table and sat slowly. "Buganda is no giant. Our armies are trained, yes. But our court is still fragile. A few more sparks and it will burn from within."
"That’s why I came," Onyango said quietly. "You’re the only one close enough to tip the scales before Nuri can act. We’ve sent a messenger to Prince Khisa. But it will take time."
"Two to three weeks, if nothing delays him. But even with that, Nuri cannot afford to move its army yet. They’re holding the coast, holding Kilwa at bay. If they open a new front now, it weakens everything."
The Kabaka nodded slowly.
He looked old, suddenly—not in body, but in weight. The choices laid before him were brutal: act and risk civil unrest, or wait and watch his kingdom fall.
"What would you have me do?" he asked at last.
"Clean your court," Onyango said. "Quietly. Sharply. Eliminate the ones who opened the door to the Restorers. Then, if the time comes, offer sanctuary to the Kongo royals. Their survival alone may be enough to fracture Lumingu’s hold."
Onyango met his gaze evenly. "Then we fight. Together."
The Kabaka sat back, staring into the oil lamp’s flickering light. "I once hoped Buganda could rise through trade, diplomacy, slow strength. But the world is burning. I see that now."
He picked up a carved wooden dagger from the table—a ceremonial one once given to him during his coronation.
"I will do what must be done. Tell your people: if they succeed, Buganda will be their ally. And if they fail..." He looked up, eyes cold. "I will drag this entire court to war before I let them burn us next."
Onyango bowed once more. "You honor Nuri."
"No," the Kabaka said quietly. "I honor my people. And I will not die and leave my people to suffer."